Family-Based Immigration
Often, if you have a family member who is a Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card Holder) or a United States Citizen, you may be eligible for some type of immigration benefit. Our experienced team can analyze your case to determine your eligibility.
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For family members residing outside the U.S., we guide you through the complexities of Consular Processing. This includes:
Documentary Qualification: We manage the intensive collection of civil documents and financial sponsorship forms (Affidavit of Support) required by the National Visa Center.
Consular Navigation: We serve as your liaison with U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide, ensuring all local requirements are met for the final interview.
Overcoming Obstacles: We proactively identify potential issues—such as previous visa denials or administrative processing delays—and draft the necessary legal arguments to keep your case moving forward.
Our mission is to take the guesswork out of "bringing your family home," providing a clear roadmap from the first filing to the moment the visa is issued.
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The K-1 visa is designed for U.S. citizens who wish to bring their foreign fiancé(e) to the United States to start their lives together. This process allows your partner to enter the U.S. for the purpose of marriage, which must take place within 90 days of arrival.
Our firm provides end-to-end support—from filing the initial petition to managing the transition to Permanent Residency (Adjustment of Status) after your wedding day. We help you navigate the paperwork so you can focus on your future.
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The unique factors in distinguishing between Lawful Permanent Residents and United States Citizens can cause very serious pitfalls for the inexperienced. It is very important to seek out the assistance of an experienced attorney when attempting to navigate these procedures. We have handled hundreds of cases for Lawful Permanent Residents and know what to look for when analyzing a case.
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In June 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). This ruling established that under Federal Law, same-sex couples could not be treated any differently than opposite-sex couples. Since that time, thousands of families have been united and enjoyed protection under federal law. Isabel was one of the first attorneys in the nation to apply on behalf of these newly eligible couples and families. Our office has since filed hundreds of petitions on behalf of same-sex couples.
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If you received a 2-year conditional Green Card through marriage, you must apply to "remove conditions" within the 90 days before your card expires. This is a critical final step to securing your permanent status in the United States.
Our firm ensures your filing is comprehensive and meticulously organized to help you avoid unnecessary delays or interviews.
We provide expert guidance on I-751 Waivers for:
Divorce or Annulment: If the marriage ended but was entered into in good faith.
Abuse or Battery: If you are a survivor of domestic violence.
Extreme Hardship: If your removal from the U.S. would result in severe consequences.
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Victims of domestic violence and abuse can also seek stand alone status in the United States. Under VAWA, many people who might otherwise be ineligible may seek permanent resident status in the United States.
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The U Nonimmigrant Status (U Visa) is a vital resource for individuals who have suffered mental or physical abuse as victims of certain qualifying crimes in the United States. This visa offers work permit and a clear pathway to a Green Card after three years.
Our firm is dedicated to supporting survivors through every step of this complex process:
Law Enforcement Certification: We work directly with police, prosecutors, or judges to obtain the required Form I-918, Supplement B, certifying your helpfulness in the investigation or prosecution of the crime.
Comprehensive Application Filing: We assist in gathering evidence of the harm suffered and drafting the personal statements necessary to demonstrate your eligibility.
Family Unity: We help include eligible family members in your petition so your loved ones can also gain legal protection and work authorization.
Adjustment of Status in the United States
If your family member is already living in the United States, they may be eligible to "adjust status" to become a Lawful Permanent Resident without having to return to their home country. While this pathway is most commonly used by spouses, parents of unmarried children under 21, and adult children (over 21) of U.S. citizens, many other family relationships also qualify. Our firm manages the entire process—from the initial petition to the final interview—ensuring your family stays together while securing their permanent future.
Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals
For DACA recipients, staying informed is just as important as staying protected. Our firm provides comprehensive support for DACA renewals, ensuring your employment authorization and protection from deportation remain seamless. However, we go beyond the paperwork. We work closely with Dreamers to explore long-term immigration solutions, evaluating eligibility for Adjustment of Status or other humanitarian pathways. Whether you are renewing your current status or looking for a way to transition to a Green Card, we provide the expert legal guidance necessary to navigate the complexities of the current immigration system.
Waivers of Inadmissibility
If you are or have ever been unlawfully present in the United States, you may have a bar of admissibility on your immigration record. It is imperative that you seek the advice of an experienced immigration attorney prior to entering or leaving the country. You may be eligible to waive your inadmissibility to either remain or reenter the United States.
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This waiver allows individuals who have left the U.S. and face a bar to admissibility to reenter. To qualify, the foreign national must demonstrate that a U.S. citizen parent or spouse would experience extreme hardship if they were not permitted to reenter the country. Attorney Cueva has successfully handled hundreds of these cases.
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Similar to the I-601, this waiver serves individuals currently residing in the United States. Before March 2013, those unlawfully present had to leave the country to process the waiver; this is no longer the case. If the unlawfully present individual can demonstrate that a U.S. citizen parent or spouse would experience extreme hardship if they were forced to leave the United States, they may be eligible for a waiver to remain here lawfully.
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This waiver is designed for individuals who have been previously deported or removed from the United States and seek "permission to reapply" for admission before their required waiting period has expired. Unlike other waivers that focus primarily on family hardship, the I-212 evaluation considers a variety of favorable and unfavorable factors, including the length of time the applicant has been outside the U.S. and their overall moral character. Successfully obtaining an I-212 waiver is often a critical first step for those seeking to return to their families and lives in the United States after a formal removal.
Naturalization (U.S. Citizenship)
Without being born to a United States Citizen or in the United States, citizenship is only directly available to those who have been Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card Holders). Those who have held a Green Card for 5 years are eligible to naturalize. Green Card holders who obtained their residency through marriage must only wait 3 years to naturalize.
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Enlisting in the U.S. Armed Forces significantly fast-tracks the timeline for becoming a U.S. citizen. Under special provisions of immigration law, the traditional 5-year residency requirement is often reduced or entirely waived for service members:
Wartime Eligibility: If you serve honorably during a "designated period of hostility", you may be eligible to apply for naturalization after just one day of active duty or service in the Selected Reserve.
Peacetime Eligibility: During periods of peacetime, service members are generally eligible to apply after one year of honorable service, rather than the standard five.
Waiver of Residency: For those serving on active duty or filing within six months of an honorable discharge, the requirements for continuous residence and physical presence in the U.S. are typically waived.
Fee Exemptions: USCIS waives the application and biometrics fees for current service members, making the process significantly more affordable.
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While the standard wait for naturalization is five years, certain individuals are eligible for an expedited 3-year timeline. You may qualify for this if you meet one of the following criteria:
Marriage to a U.S. Citizen: You have been a Lawful Permanent Resident for at least three years and have been living in a "marital union" with your U.S. citizen spouse during that entire period.
VAWA Beneficiaries: If you obtained your Green Card through a VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) self-petition, you are eligible to apply for citizenship after three years of residency. Notably, unlike standard marriage cases, VAWA applicants do not need to show they are still living with their abuser to qualify for this shortcut.
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Applying for citizenship with an "imperfect" record can be more than just stressful—it can be high-stakes. Issues such as prior arrests, citations, or even accidental voter registration at the DMV can put your permanent residency at risk of revocation. Before filing, it is vital to have an expert attorney audit your record. We don't just submit forms; we assemble and legally brief your case, providing the necessary context and legal arguments to address potential "Good Moral Character" hurdles. Our goal is to preemptively solve problems before they become denials, ensuring your path to the Oath of Allegiance is secure.